Review: Hotel Hafnia, Tórshavn (Faroe Islands)

September 3, 2025

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Wednesday newsletters always feature a hotel or flight review.

I recently enjoyed my first cruise holiday—a fabulous trip around Iceland and the Faroe Islands aboard the Seabourn Venture, the world’s most luxurious expedition cruise ship. You can read my trip reports here:

Today: Review of Hotel Hafnia, Faroe Islands

Perched in the heart of Tórshavn—the charming capital of the Faroe Islands—Hotel Hafnia offers a unique fusion of traditional Faroese hospitality and modern elegance. This four-star property is more than just a place to stay; it is a landmark that has welcomed travelers for decades. Named after the Latin word Hafnia, meaning “harbor,” the hotel pays homage to its prime location just steps from the waterfront, in a city that thrives on its maritime roots. With the old town Tinganes just around the corner, and Tórshavn’s colorful harbor viewable from many rooms, guests are treated to the city’s pulse while enjoying serene, well-appointed spaces. Ideal for both leisure visitors and business travelers, Hotel Hafnia is one of the few hotels in the region that so skillfully blends history, comfort, and contemporary amenities.

I made a YouTube video with full tour of Hotel Hafnia, which you can watch below. Have you ever stayed at Hotel Hafnia? If so, what was your experience? Leave a comment.

In this review:

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

One of Hotel Hafnia’s most compelling features is its location in the heart of Tórshavn, the smallest capital city in the world. Set just a few paces from the picturesque harbor, the hotel places guests within walking distance of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the red-painted government buildings of Tinganes, the historic district that dates back to the Viking era. You’ll also find the National Gallery, Tórshavn Cathedral, and the lively pedestrian street Niels Finsens Gøta just minutes away on foot. For those looking to explore local culture, cafés, boutiques, and museums lie around every corner, making Hafnia an ideal base for both short city breaks and longer immersive stays. Despite being so centrally located, the hotel maintains a peaceful atmosphere, thanks in part to the quiet, narrow streets and the proximity to the sea. Whether you’re heading out for a morning walk along the harbor, browsing handmade goods at the Saturday market, or catching a ferry for a day trip to nearby islands, the hotel’s location makes it effortless.
Hotel Hafnia’s story is interwoven with the modern history of Tórshavn itself. It opened in 1951, the vision of Christian Restorff—a visionary entrepreneur who wanted to create a contemporary hotel that could serve the growing number of visitors to the Faroe Islands. At the time, it was the first of its kind in the capital, bringing new standards of comfort and service to the island nation. Over the next several decades, the Restorff family continued to grow and refine the hotel, expanding its facilities and establishing it as a cornerstone of Faroese hospitality. In 2005, the hotel passed out of family hands and it was later acquired by P/f Smyril Line, the Faroese transport company best known for its North Atlantic ferry line, in 2018. Under their stewardship, Hotel Hafnia has undergone a thoughtful modernization, maintaining its historical charm while upgrading facilities to meet the expectations of 21st-century travelers. Interestingly, Hotel Hafnia is so woven into Faroese life that it even features in literature—including the novel Når Engle spiller Mozart, highlighting its role as a cultural touchstone.
The layout of Hotel Hafnia reflects the hotel’s dual identity as both a hub of hospitality and a cultural outpost. The main building serves as the hotel’s social core, housing reception, lounges, conference rooms, and the majority of guest accommodations. Flowing logically from the lobby to guest areas and into the dining spaces, the layout offers a smooth guest experience. Just a few steps from the main building is one of the hotel’s most unique features, a cluster of traditional Faroese grass-roofed cottages located just a few steps from the main building. These freestanding lodgings are ideal for families, long-stay guests, or travelers seeking a deeper connection to local traditions. Inside the cottages, the aesthetic is cozy and heritage-forward, with low ceilings, warm wood, and stone accents—yet still outfitted with all the modern conveniences expected from a luxury stay. Additional on-site amenities include a Finnish-style sauna, access to a fully-equipped gym nearby, and several versatile meeting spaces.
Hotel Hafnia’s thoughtful design blends Nordic simplicity with a distinct Faroese character—qualities well-suited to a destination where the weather often invites cozy moments indoors. The interiors feature a calming mix of muted greys, pale woods, soft leathers, and textured fabrics that create a sense of ease. Across the hotel—from the lounge areas to the guest rooms—functionality is paired with warmth. Contemporary touches are present but never overbearing, and the atmosphere feels welcoming rather than formal. Details such as historical photographs of Tórshavn, artworks by local creators, and subtle nods to the surrounding landscape provide a sense of place. The contrast between the clean lines of the main building and the traditional grass-roofed cottages adds personality to the property. The cottages, especially when morning mist settles on their mossy roofs, carry a quiet charm that feels rooted in Faroese tradition. Lighting also plays an important role: softly lit corridors, warm pendant lamps in the restaurant, and discreet fixtures in the rooms create comfort without distraction.

Hotel Hafnia offers a wide range of accommodations—from single rooms ideal for solo adventurers or business travelers, to expansive suites that offer extra comfort and commanding views. The hotel’s 79 rooms and suites include flat-screen TVs, blackout curtains, complimentary Wi-Fi, work desks, and coffee/tea facilities. A popular feature among guests is the thoughtful use of local touches: historical photo collages, traditional Faroese patterns in the textiles, and handcrafted ceramics used in the tea service. The suites, in particular, are ideal for longer stays or romantic getaways, with plush seating areas, king-sized beds, and upgraded bathrooms featuring both showers and jetted tubs with stunning views of Tórshavn. For those seeking a more immersive cultural experience, the aforementioned cottage accommodations provide a truly special alternative. While slightly more rustic in aesthetic and a few steps from the hotel’s main building and facilities, they are fully serviced and perfect for travelers who want a storybook stay in a traditional Faroese setting.

Culinary excellence is a cornerstone of the Hotel Hafnia experience, with three distinct dining venues, each offering a unique experience:
- Bistro 1 Hædd is a stylish, intimate restaurant perched on the first floor. Here, the menu leans modern Nordic, focusing on fresh seafood, Faroese lamb, and seasonal vegetables. Every moring, an excellent breakfast buffet is also offered at Bistro 1 Hædd.
- Just around the corner from the main building, Katrina Christiansen Restaurant offers a more casual yet no less refined dining option. Housed in one of Tórshavn’s oldest preserved wooden buildings, this restaurant is as much about the experience as the food. It invites guests into a time capsule of Faroese history, with creaking floors, exposed beams, and candlelit tables. The menu is rooted in tradition, featuring reimagined classics like skerpikjøt (fermented lamb), fish soup, and rhubarb desserts.
- For guests seeking a relaxed moment between excursions, Café Kaspar is a bright and inviting space perfect for coffee, wine, or a light snack. It’s a favorite spot among locals as well, adding a social buzz to the experience. A complimentary daily wine hour is offered to guests—an appreciated touch that encourages mingling and relaxation after a day of island exploration.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

The rooms at Hotel Hafnia have a distinctly cozy charm, but they are definitely on the smaller side compared to what many discerning travelers might be used to. This is especially noticeable in the bathrooms, where the shower area isn’t always clearly separated from the rest of the space. That being said, the compact layout also gives the hotel an intimate, boutique-like feel, and everything was spotless and functional. If you’re someone who values efficiency and comfort over sprawling square footage, the rooms do deliver what you need for a good night’s rest.

If you’re assigned a room in the basement, be prepared for even more limited space. These rooms can feel a bit cramped, with lower ceilings and smaller windows that let in less natural light. While perfectly functional for a short stay, they don’t offer the airy, open feel that rooms on higher floors provide. If you’re sensitive to space or prefer bright, open surroundings, requesting or booking a room on an upper floor is definitely worth considering.

One of Hotel Hafnia’s biggest advantages is its unbeatable location—right in the center of Tórshavn, just steps from cafés, shops, and the harbor. Of course, being in the middle of everything can bring a little background noise with it. From my room on a higher floor, I only noticed the occasional murmur of cars or faint footsteps in the hallway, and it was never enough to disturb my stay. That said, I can imagine that lower-floor rooms or those facing directly onto the street might experience more of the city’s nightlife and traffic sounds. For light sleepers, a higher floor or an backward-facing room could be the safer choice, or simply bringing along earplugs to ensure a restful night.

For travelers exploring the Faroe Islands by car, parking at Hotel Hafnia can be a small challenge. The hotel doesn’t have its own parking facilities, so guests need to rely on public parking nearby. In practice, this meant spending a few extra minutes finding a space and sometimes walking a short distance with luggage. On the bright side, parking in Tórshavn is generally safe and straightforward, and once the car was parked, I really didn’t miss it—everything in town was within walking distance. It’s less of a problem if you plan to use the hotel as a base for day trips and only need to move the car once or twice a day.

If you’re used to hotels with gyms or pools, you won’t find them at Hotel Hafnia. The focus here is on comfortable accommodation and a central location, though there are a couple of ways to stay active. The hotel has a small on-site sauna, perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring. Additionally, all guests have complimentary access to Burn Fitness, just 180 meters (600 feet) away—an easy walk through Vaglið from the hotel. Just ask at reception for a wristband, and you’re all set. For me, the lack of a full wellness complex wasn’t a dealbreaker—I spent most of my time wandering Tórshavn and the surrounding islands— but it’s useful to know if your ideal stay includes on-site fitness or leisure options.

If you’re accustomed to ultra-luxury hotels, it’s worth pointing out that Hotel Hafnia is not a five-star property—and in fact, the Faroe Islands don’t really have a true luxury hotel scene (at least not in the conventional sense). What 4-star Hotel Hafnia offers instead is a comfortable and welcoming stay in a prime location, with plenty of personality and charm. The experience is less about marble lobbies and champagne bars, and more about feeling at home while being immersed in the rhythm of Tórshavn. For me, that was part of its appeal—it matched the understated, authentic character of the islands themselves.

MY VERDICT

Layout: 7/10
Design: 8/10
Pool: n/a
Rooms: 8/10
Food: 8/10
Breakfast: 8/10
Spa: n/a
Service: 8/10
Wow factor: 6/10
Value for money: 7/10
Overall experience: good – 7.5/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

Save money: read here my tips for getting the best deal at a hotel like Hotel Hafnia (and/or receive many free perks).

Read my tips for preparing your trip in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The best time to visit the Faroe Islands is generally late May through early September, when the weather is mild, with average temperatures around 10–15°C (50–59°F), and the days are long, especially in June when daylight can last nearly 24 hours. This period is ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking, boat tours, and wildlife spotting, including puffins and whales. Shoulder seasons in May and September offer fewer crowds and slightly lower prices, though the weather can be more unpredictable. Winter, from October to April, is less favorable due to short daylight hours, frequent storms, and limited access to some remote areas, but it can appeal to those seeking dramatic landscapes and the chance to see the Northern Lights.

HOW TO GET THERE

Hotel Hafnia is located in the center of Tórshavn. Visitors arriving from Vágar Airport (FAE) can reach the hotel by car in roughly 40–45 minutes, or by bus via Route 300 in about 50 minutes. Helicopter services also operate between the airport and Tórshavn Bodanes Heliport, taking around 12 minutes. Once in Tórshavn, the hotel is easily accessible on foot.